ELF 100 eyeshadow palette: glamorous eyes

Ahem please excuse my brow, I desperately needed to get it done when this pic was taken. But, that's besides the point.

I used the ELF 100 eyeshadow palette to create this eye look! Nice champagne and gold on the lid with a gorgeous purple on the lower lash line. And of course, some thick and dramatic eye lashes using Maybelline Falsies Flare!

Sticky Lip Glosses

WHY are they sticky?
--> it helps the colour and gloss stick to your lips better, and therefore stay on longer


HOW do I make the stickiness go away?
--> apply a lip balm underneath before appling the gloss. However, realize that it won't stay on as long if you do this!


Random haulage: I bought L'oreal Paris Colour Juice Lip Gloss in Strawberry Smoothie yesterday! ME LIKES!

Night Time Skincare Routine

At the beginning of May my skin began to break out horribly, and there didn't seem to be anything I could do to get it under control. Slowly, and with a combination of skincare products, small lifestyle changes, and time, my skin has cleared up and acutally become quite radiant. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my skin lately and I myself have noticed a positive change in it, so I was inspired to make this post! Here's my nightly skincare routine:


1. Remove any makup using a cotton pad soaked in baby oil. Baby oil can get even the most difficult to remove makeup off of you! I don't usually wear much makeup, to be honest. If anything, I'll just be wearing mascara so baby oil gets it off quite nicely and leaves my eyes feeling nourished and soft.





2. Wash my face using Proactiv skin cleanser (step 1 of the 3 step system). I use about a quarter sized amount and I spend about two minutes gently rubbing it into my skin and concentrating on areas where I tend to break out, or where I have acne scars. There are gentle microbeadsin this cleanser that will help remove dead skin cells and thus lighten the appearance of acne scars over time.





3. Tone my face using Proactiv toner (step 2 of the 3 step system). I apply about 6 drops onto a cotton pad and smooth it all over my face. I really concentrate on the areas of my face where I have acne scaring because this toner contains glycolic acid acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) which helps acne scars to heal.





4. Apply a pea sized amount of Proactiv Renewing Lotion (step 3 of the 3 step system) all over my face. I focus on those areas where I tend to break out or have broken out because this lotion has benzoic acid which helps heal acne by fighting off acne bacteria.







5. Apply some vitamin E ointment to areas of my face with acne scarring. I also like to appy a little bit to my lashes to keep them nourished and to my eyebrows to stimulate growth.



6. Apply a small amount of Biore's Skin Boosting Night Serum under each eye, and blend into the under eye area and over the eyelid. This serum is supposed to be concentrated with many nutrients that are great for the skin, so I reserve it for my delicate eye area.



7. Apply Nivea's lip balm in Milk & Honey all over my lips.



8. Get a good night's sleep!

Covergirl Lashblast Length Water Resistant

Golden Brown smokey eye using ELF 100 Eyeshadow Palette

Pink smokey eye using the ELF 100 eyeshadow palette!

Plump it up!

I already have fairly full lips, as you can see here (I am wearing nothing but lip balm in this pic):

But, I think with some lipliner and a nice shiny lipstick (shiny lipstick reflects light, giving your lips the appearance of being larger and fuller) anybody can get plump looking lips! Here, I lined my lips with Rimmel's lipliner in Spice, and I applied Maybelline ColourSensational Lipstick in Park Ave Peach. Hope you like it!

Nails!!!

I did my nails! Wanna see? :)

Perfect Soft Pink Lips for Tan Skin!

So something that's bothered me a lot is that I can't wear pale pink on my lips because I have tanned skin, and pale pink lipstick makes me look really washed out. This is my way of wearing soft pink lips and still looking healthy and gorgeous!


1. Apply a sheer layer of Maybelline's Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Windsor Rose and blend into lips with a clean finger.


Sometimes I wear this colour alone, but I find that it has a touch of purple in it, so when I want the true soft pink lip, I proceed to step 2.


2. Apply a small amount of CoverGirl WetSlicks Lipgloss in Shimmershell to the center of your lips, and blend laterally with a clean finger.


I bought this lip gloss a while ago and I was dismayed by how pale and shimmery it looks on my lips. But, the light pink colour is perfect for balancing out the slightly dark undertones of Windsor Rose.


3. Flash that gorgeous smile!

My secret to the perfect CORAL LIPS

1. Apply one coat of Rimmel's "Coral Queen" to the lips.


2. Blot gently on tissue paper.


3. Apply one coat of Revlon's "Coral Reef" overtop, beginning at the center of the lips and working towards the outer corners.


4. Blot gently on tissue paper.


5. Admire your beautiful lips in the mirror and pucker up, girlfriend! ;)

Review: ELF Lip Stain in Red Carpet

one very sheer, blotted coat

 one regularly applied coat

 two coats

 Product Info:

ELF Lip Stain in Red Carpet

$3.00


Pros:
-beautiful, deep red colour
-very buildable to go from everyday wear to dramatic (see for yourself! look at the pix above!)
-incredibly long lasting (8+ hours)
-sleek packaging
-very moisturizing gloss


Cons:
-stain alone is not very moisturizing
-not as long lasting if the gloss is applied overtop (but still pretty decent, I'd say)


Ways to use it (see pictures above):
-for an everyday , sheer wash of red: wipe most of the stain off the brush on the side of the tube, apply it to your lips gently, use your finger to blend the colour in, and finally, blot your lips on a paper towel
-for a wearable red lip: apply one coat to the lips
-for intense drama: apply two coats to the lips
-you can also just wear the gloss alone, or in combination with the stain


Additional comments:


Overall, I really love this lip stain and I would highly recommend it to anybody who is looking for long lasting red lip colour. I think the colour has some blue undertones which is great because that tends to make teeth look whiter!


Rating: 4.5/5



Review: ELF Lip Stain in Fashionista

 without gloss

with gloss

Product Info:

ELF Lip Stain in Fashionista

$3.00

Pros:

-gorgeous lip colour

-if I don't apply the gloss overtop, the stain stays on my lips for literally 8+ hours

-the gloss is very moisturizing and not sticky at all

-no nauseating scents

-very sleek packaging

Cons:

-if I apply the gloss, the colour fades faster (I'd say it lasts about 3 hours)

-when you apply the gloss over the stain, the lip brush picks up some of the stain and becomes tinted pink

-the stain alone is not very moisturizing

Ways to use it:

-wear the stain alone

-wear the gloss alone

-wear the stain and layer the gloss over top

Additional Comments:

Overall, this is a beautiful wearable pink lip stain, and it is actually one of my favourite products from ELF! The stain gives a beautiful matte pink look without the gloss over it, and it has incredible staying power even if you talk a lot, or drink and eat. I would highly recommend this product to anybody looking for a long lasting, matte lip colour!

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder

 Blush

 Bronzer

Product info:

ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

$3.00

 Pros:

-very gorgeous colours

-blend very easily

-look natural

-packaging looks very expensive

-the blush has beautiful gold flecks in it that really just make your cheeks pop!

-the bronzer has some nice, light shimmer

-very versatile product!

Cons:

-a little powdery -- when I go in with my brush, I get some fallout around the edges of the compact

-blush colour is sheer (only really a con if you want strong pigmentation)

Ways to use it:

-blush

    -on the apples of your cheeks, as a blush

    -because light application is sheer but shimmery, it makes a great highlight!

    -gorgeous as a lid colour because of the gold shimmer

    -I sometimes pat a bit on the center of my lips. It goes perfectly with a nude pink lipstick!

-bronzer

    -in the hollows of your cheeks to contour your cheekbones

    -a light wash over the temples, cheeks and jawline to create a beautiful tan, sun-kissed look

    -this colour is also gorgeous as an eyeshadow crease colour! It is very easy to diffuse with a blending brush

Additional Comments:

Overall, I would highly recommend this duo. I think it is very comparable to high quality blushes/bronzers and it will look great on many skin tones. It is very versatile so if you bought it and don't like it as the typical blush/bronzer function, you can still make use of it (as I outlined above). I'd recommend this to almost anybody because I think the colours are so gorgeous and multi-purpose, and it is super inexpensive!

Rating: 5/5

Review: Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Product Info:
Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara
$21.00 (pretty expensive considering it's a drugstore mascara)


Before:

 

All I did was curl my lashes in these pictures. I have fairly thick lashes, but they're not that long or dark.

After:

I applied mascara to my upper lashes only. I'll be doing a "how I apply mascara" post soon! =D

Lengthing: 4/5

Thickening: 3.5/5

Defining/Separating: 3/5

-this mascara tends to bunch a lot of my lashes together, which definitely bothers me

Darkening: 4/5

Holding Curl: 3.5/5

-in the pic above you can see that the curl is still there somewhat, but it tends to drop out the longer the mascara is on

Additional Comments:

Overall, I'd recommend this mascara to someone looking for length, and who has lashes that hold curl well.

Review: ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine in Mauve Luxe

 

Product Info:

ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine in Mauve Luxe

$1.00

Pros:

-great colour payoff for a gloss!

-not horribly glossy, but still gives a nice shine

-gorgeous deep pink-black cherry colour

-tons of product considering the price!

-really pretty subtle gold shimmer

-not sticky at all!

-smells pleasant

-very easily applied without a mirror

Cons:

-don't last very long -- I find myself reapplying almost every half hour!

-I don't live in the US so I have limited access to ELF (and the shipping cost is pretty hefty)

Ways to use it:

-alone on bare lips -- I find this is the best way because the colour is so beautiful as it is

Additional Comments:

I'm definitely quite happy with this product overall. I think considering the price, the effect it gives you on the lips is just fabulous. So, if you're looking for a gloss that'll give you great colour, easy application (despite the need for reapplication) and just the right amount of shine e need, then this is for you!

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Rimmel 3-in-1 shimmering Bronzer in Bronze Goddess

 

 

Product Info:

Rimmel 3-in-1 Shimmering Bronzer in Bronze Goddess (#002)

$4.99 (once again, on sale!)

Pros:

-lots of different uses (see "ways to use it" below)

-gives you a beautiful, yet subtle overall glow

-pretty inexpensive

-perfect amount of shimmer!

-3 very versatile shades all in one compact product

Cons:

-with the exception of the dark brown, the colours are quite sheer on the skin (though many might consider this a pro!)

-the colours are a little powdery (if you mixed them together, there's a lot of powder all over and you basically have to blow it away)

Ways to use it:

-I like to use the lighest colour alone as a highlight on my cheekbones, cupid's bow, nose and chin

-eyeshadow! The lighest colour can be applied as a highlight, the medium colour over the lid, and the darkest colour in the crease/outer V

-the darkest colour is great for contouring cheekbones (it is a little shimmery, but I find that the shimmer can be blended out fairly easily!)
-mix all 3 colours and use as a bronzer (gives a beautiful all over glow!)

Additional Comments:

Overall, I'm quite impressed with this product considering how cheap it was. What I like best is that I have 3 great go-to colours all in one compact. Usually when I travel and need to pack light, I'll throw this in my bag and I can use it for contouring, eyeshadow, and highlighting. If you're looking for something that is versatile and subtle, then I would recommend this to you!

Rating: 4/5

Review: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef

Product info:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss: Coral Reef (#170)

$6.99 (got mine on sale, SCORE!)

Pros:

-beautiful coral colour. It is a nice blend between pink and orange

-not sticky!

-long lasting (I can go for about 3-4 hours without needing to reapply)

-not overly glossy

-pretty, subtle scent

Cons:

-milky consistency. What I mean by this is that when you apply it, it is sort of streaky on your lips so you really have to blend it into your lips with the wand.

-doesn't get under the cupid's bow. This really bugs me because I like being able to apply lip gloss without a mirror! The problem is that when you apply it to your lips and then press them together, that pretty part of the lips under the cupid's bow doesn't acutally get glossed. You basically have to apply with a mirror and make sure you get that region of your upper lip.

Ways to use it:
-just on bare lips
-over a coral coloured lip stick (a great match is Rimmel's Coral Chic)
-over a pink lipstick (it really makes the pink of the coral shine through!)
-over a lip liner (a great match is Rimmel's Spice)

Additional Comments:

All in all, I think this is a great product and I'm glad I bought it. It's not shimmery, which isn't a pro or a con for me. If you're looking for a nice coral colour that gives you good colour payoff without being crazy bright (as many lipsticks are), then I think this might be what you're looking for!

Overall Rating: 4/5